Getting a disability claim approved is a huge challenge. Claims rarely get approved in the first application. The process has so many issues that 50,000 people had to file for bankruptcy between 2014 and 2019 while waiting for their cast to get resolved.
A disability lawyer is the one person you need by your side to get your case resolved much faster than you can do on your own.
Hiring a disability lawyer isn’t easy because there are a lot of attorneys to choose from. How can you make sure you hire the best disability lawyer?
Read on to learn what you should look for when choosing a disability attorney.
-
Disability Law Specialization
The first thing to check is their standing with your state’s bar association. Then make sure the attorney handles disability cases.
They’ll be able to explain the differences between Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). According to Heard and Smith disability lawyers, SSI is for people over 65, blind or disabled with low income.
-
Case Management
Social Security claims are complex and time-consuming. Ask the attorney how they handle the mountain of paperwork. A good disability lawyer has systems in place to organize requests and paperwork pertaining to your case.
See if they would do an on-the-record request if it applies in your case. This is a request to approve your claim without a hearing.
Some attorneys will arrange examinations with doctors and other experts. Find out if the attorney handles this or if you need to do the work.
-
Representation Fees
A disability lawyer gets paid a percentage of your back benefits, which is usually between 20% and 25%. It’s capped at $6,000.
There may be other charges in your case that you’re responsible for. Get a complete rundown of the fee structure before you hire an attorney.
-
Communications and Meetings
You want to have an attorney that takes an active interest in your case. The best disability lawyer should want to meet with you before the hearing.
There can be a large gap of time, even up to a year, in between hearings and reviews. Ask the attorney if they check in with you for updates or if you shouldn’t expect to hear anything from them.
-
Federal Experience
The final step in the disability appeals process is a Federal Court review. This is a lawsuit filed in federal court.
Not all attorneys have the experience to present a case in federal court. If the attorney doesn’t handle federal cases, they should have an attorney that they can refer you to.
Hiring the Best Disability Lawyer
Getting a disability resolved quickly isn’t easy. It may seem impossible, which is why you need a disability lawyer by your side.
Hire the best disability lawyer with the tips you learned in this article. Make sure they have experience working with the Social Security Administration. Find out how they handle your case and how they get paid.
Now that you know how to hire a lawyer for your case, learn more about disability law by checking out the other legal articles on the blog.
